Web Desk (MNN); Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig has added another historic achievement to her name by becoming the first Pakistani to ski to the South Pole.
Baig was part of an international expedition organised by Elite Exped, which departed from Pakistan on December 2. The team arrived at Union Glacier on December 6, and Samina Baig successfully completed her ski journey to the South Pole on December 14.
Sharing her experience on Facebook, Baig said she felt “deeply grateful and humbled” upon reaching the final degree of the South Pole, describing the achievement as a major step towards completing the prestigious Explorer’s Grand Slam.
“This ski journey has never been completed by any Pakistani before. It has been one of the most challenging and meaningful experiences of my life, and it is still hard to describe it in words,” she wrote.
Reflecting on her journey, Baig recalled her achievements over the past decade, from summiting Mount Everest in 2013 and completing the Seven Summits, to scaling K2 and Nanga Parbat, and now reaching one of the most remote places on Earth.
“Every step taught me patience, resilience and belief,” she said, adding that the expedition was about trusting the dream, staying committed despite uncertainty, and moving forward even when the path seemed impossible.
She expressed hope that her success would inspire others, especially women, to follow their dreams regardless of obstacles. Baig said carrying the Pakistani flag and her Ismaili flag across mountains, continents and polar ice was the greatest honour of her life.
Baig also thanked her community for funding the expedition and acknowledged the support of her team, family, fellow climber Nirmal Purja and Elite Expeditions, saying the journey would not have been possible without their trust and encouragement.
Hailing from the remote village of Shimshal, Samina Baig became the first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest in 2013. She is also the first Pakistani to complete the Seven Summits, including Everest, Kilimanjaro, Denali, Mont Blanc, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson and Puncak Jaya.
In 2010, she climbed the previously unconquered Chashkin Sar, later named Samina Peak, followed by Koh-i-Brobar (Mount Equality) in 2011. In 2022, she successfully summited K2, and in 2023, she and Naila Kiani became the first Pakistani women to climb Nanga Parbat.
